They can proudly show me off without second-guessing, and yet I’m seconds from hurling. I don’t think I can do this …
I don’t even realize my hand starts tapping against Dean’s abs until he grabs my hand and slows the bike down. But the last thing I want to do right now is stop and take my helmet off in front of all of these people. They don’t know who I am right now, and I think I might have to keep it that way for a little longer.
“P-please. Get me out of here,” I beg him.
He doesn’t hesitate, taking back off down the path as he makes our escape. Taking a left back toward the main road, we only run into more onlookers and watching eyes. And it’s all becoming too much.
My chest burns, tightening more and more. They know I’m a fraud, living under a fake name. They know I’m just a maid who doesn’t deserve to be with the Kensington heirs.
Just calm down, Cirella. You’re fine.
But that does nothing to help. It has the same effect on me as it does when you tell someone to calm down when they’re mad.
Dean keeps his hand on mine, squeezing gently and trying to assure me.
I don’t even know how he can tell that I need it, but I’m thankful regardless. It’s the only thing holding me together.
I don’t know what’s happening to me right now. This is what I want in the end—to be with them shamelessly. But here I am freaking the hell out when we’re seen in public for the first time.
Guilt claws at my throat, making the pain in my chest deepen.
This isn’t fair to them, making them keep me a secret.
They deserve someone with less … baggage.
I’m not good enough to date a Kensington, let alone two.
“Worthless, stupid girl. It’s a good thing you’re talented. Your lack of beauty will get you nowhere.”
Adrianna’s words echo in my mind, like a record spinning in a torturous loop.
“No one will ever love you for you, only for your last name.”
“You remind me why I hate the elite, so annoying, boring, and plain. The only thing you have going for you is me. You’re lucky to have someone who knows how to hide your imperfections.”
“You’re not smart. Or witty. Or beautiful. You’ll be lucky to find a husband at all.”
“Becoming your stepmother was the greatest mistake of my life.”
I can feel her long fingers on the tops of my shoulders, snaking around my throat, slapping me. She’severywhere. Choking me, dragging me down to the ground, where she loves to leave me.
Maybe she’s right.
I’m out of my element with Dean and Asher. Maybe I’ve been playing pretend in hopes this could be real and true. But I think I might have been fooling myself all along.
They’re having fun with their new toy. They won’t want to keep me forever.
Why would they? They’re going to get bored of me, sick of their weak, pathetic Cirella.
The world starts to spin around me. My vision is cloudy, and sensations are fading.
Hands find my back, securing me in place before I even realize I’m falling or that the ground has completely stopped moving altogether.
“Hey, hey. I’ve got you.” Asher’s voice fights Adrianna for the spotlight in my mind, but he fails.
Unfortunately, she’s had years to imprint hers in place. It won’t be so easily replaced.
I blink hard, and my focus starts to shift back to reality, finding Dean throwing his leg over the seat and turning to face me. He removes my helmet, studying me for clues for my breakdown.
